How I score
One question, asked of every member of Congress: does their record lead toward an Iran where people are free? Three principles answer it, and every vote I count is listed here, with a link to the official record.
The one idea
Every person owns their own life: free to speak, to believe or not, to work and earn, to love as they choose, and to choose who rules them, as long as they leave everyone else the same freedom. That is the one idea behind every score here. It is not left or right.
So I ask one question of every member of Congress: does their record lead toward an Iran where people are free, or keep the system that denies it? I judge a vote by what it does to freedom once it becomes the rule, over years, not by its slogan or by who proposed it.
Deeds count more than words. A vote or a signature is on the official record; a speech counts only as a sourced line; a key vote counts double. And the same act gets the same side, whatever the member’s party.
Asked of Iran today, that question comes down to three principles. Each weighs by what is at stake:
- Confronts the regime that rules Iran by fear (weight 3). It weighs most because every other freedom in Iran depends on it: while this regime rules, no Iranian can speak, believe or vote freely, and its proxies take the same freedom from its neighbours.
- Stands with the people of Iran (weight 2). The people rising against a dictator are where freedom is won or lost, so standing with them weighs second only to confronting the regime.
- Lets Iranians choose a free, secular Iran (weight 2). Ending the regime is not enough if someone else decides what comes next. A free country chooses its own rulers, so whoever picks Iran's next system for Iranians is taking the same freedom the regime took.
The rules
- Each principle gets a number from 0 to 100: the share of a member’s recorded actions that were on liberty’s side. A key vote counts double. A sourced line weighs by what it is: words 1, an act 2.
- The regime principle needs two recorded actions to count. The other two need one.
- Ties to the MEK are the against side of letting Iranians choose: a signature on one of the six resolutions that back its plan, or speaking at its events. A resolution put before a member that they did not sign is not a deed, so it never counts as with. It decides how much a tie weighs: one signature out of four resolutions makes this principle count a quarter of its weight, all four the whole of it. A member with no signature and no sourced line here is not scored on it at all: a clean record is where everyone starts.
- Meeting or backing Prince Reza Pahlavi counts with letting Iranians choose, because what he proposes is a secular democracy that Iranians choose in a free vote. Saying Iranians have already rejected the monarchy counts against: it decides for them a question they have never been allowed to vote on.
- The score is the weighted average of the principles that count, so the regime weighs 3 and each of the others 2. A member needs the regime principle to get a score: it is the only one made of recorded votes for every member.
- The same words get the same side, whoever says them and whatever their party.
The number and its colour
Every member gets one number out of 100. 100 is the best a member can get and 0 is the worst. I show it as a whole number. The colour only groups the numbers, so a long list can be read at a glance:
- 90 to 100
- 80 to 89
- 70 to 79
- 60 to 69
- 0 to 59
What readers and members can do
- Reading needs no sign-in. Writing, sharing a video, answering another reader, liking and reporting need an account: a name, an email and a password.
- Your email is never printed and never given to anyone. The name you choose is printed with what you write.
- What you post goes on the page once your email is confirmed. I don't read it first. Any reader can report a post, and three reports take it off the page until I've looked. I remove insults, threats, adverts, and anything private about anyone.
- I open and check every source you send. If the words are on the page you sent, they go on the member's record, with the link. Which side they fall on is judged by the rules above, not by who sent them.
- A score changes only when the record changes. Many people asking is not a reason. A vote or a source is.
Every vote and bill I count
Confronts the regime that rules Iran by fear
weight 3
The Islamic Republic jails, tortures and kills people for what they say and believe, and arms others to do the same abroad. Votes for sanctions and pressure on it, against any deal that keeps it alive, and against pulling American forces out of the fight count on liberty's side.
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic (H.Con.Res. 89) key vote
Directs the President to remove US forces from hostilities with the Islamic Republic. A vote for the resolution is a vote to pull US forces out of the fight against the Islamic Republic. I count a Nay as with.
24 September 2026 · the official record
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic (H.Con.Res. 93) key vote
Directs the President to remove US forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran, except forces needed to defend the United States or an ally from imminent attack, unless Congress authorizes force. A vote for the resolution is a vote to pull US forces out of the fight against the Islamic Republic. I count a Nay as with.
15 September 2026 · the official record
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic (S.J.Res. 181)
Would have directed the President to remove US forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that Congress has not authorized. A vote for the resolution is a vote to pull US forces out of the fight against the Islamic Republic. I count a Nay as with.
30 July 2026 · the official record
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic (H.Con.Res. 89)
Directs the President to remove US forces from hostilities with the Islamic Republic. A vote for the resolution is a vote to pull US forces out of the fight against the Islamic Republic. I count a Nay as with.
23 July 2026 · the official record
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic (H.Con.Res. 86) key vote
Directs the President to remove US forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran, except forces needed to defend the United States or an ally from imminent attack, unless Congress authorizes force. A vote for the resolution is a vote to pull US forces out of the fight against the Islamic Republic. I count a Nay as with.
23 June 2026 · the official record
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic (H.Con.Res. 86) key vote
Directs the President to remove US forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran, except forces needed to defend the United States or an ally from imminent attack, unless Congress authorizes force. A vote for the resolution is a vote to pull US forces out of the fight against the Islamic Republic. I count a Nay as with.
3 June 2026 · the official record
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic (S.J.Res. 185)
Would have directed the President to remove US forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that Congress has not authorized. A vote for the resolution is a vote to pull US forces out of the fight against the Islamic Republic. I count a Nay as with.
19 May 2026 · the official record
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic (H.Con.Res. 75)
Directs the President to remove US forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. A vote for the resolution is a vote to pull US forces out of the fight against the Islamic Republic. I count a Nay as with.
14 May 2026 · the official record
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic (S.J.Res. 163)
Would have directed the President to remove US forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that Congress has not authorized. A vote for the resolution is a vote to pull US forces out of the fight against the Islamic Republic. I count a Nay as with.
13 May 2026 · the official record
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic (H.Con.Res. 40)
Directs the President to remove US forces from hostilities with the Islamic Republic. A vote for the resolution is a vote to pull US forces out of the fight against the Islamic Republic. I count a Nay as with.
16 April 2026 · the official record
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic (S.J.Res. 123)
Would have directed the President to remove US forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that Congress has not authorized. A vote for the resolution is a vote to pull US forces out of the fight against the Islamic Republic. I count a Nay as with.
15 April 2026 · the official record
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic (S.J.Res. 118)
Would have directed the President to remove US forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that Congress has not authorized. A vote for the resolution is a vote to pull US forces out of the fight against the Islamic Republic. I count a Nay as with.
18 March 2026 · the official record
Reaffirming Iran remains the largest state sponsor of terrorism (H.Res. 1099)
Declares it US policy that Iran remains the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, citing its backing for Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis and the American deaths it is responsible for. It puts the House on record against the regime in the first days of the 2026 war. I count a Yea as with.
5 March 2026 · the official record
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic (H.Con.Res. 38) key vote
Directs the President to end the use of US forces in hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran unless Congress declares war or authorizes force. A vote for the resolution is a vote to pull US forces out of the fight against the Islamic Republic. I count a Nay as with.
5 March 2026 · the official record
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic (S.J.Res. 104) key vote
Would have directed the President to remove US forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that Congress has not authorized. A vote for the resolution is a vote to pull US forces out of the fight against the Islamic Republic. I count a Nay as with.
4 March 2026 · the official record
War powers resolution on the Islamic Republic after the June 2025 strikes (S.J.Res. 59) key vote
Would have directed the President to remove US forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran unless Congress authorized them. It came days after the US strikes on the Islamic Republic's nuclear sites. A vote for it is a vote to tie the President's hands against the regime. I count a Nay as with.
27 June 2025 · the official record
No War Against Iran Act
Bars federal money from being used for military force against the Islamic Republic unless Congress authorizes it. It would take military action against the regime off the table. Signing it counts against.
17 June 2025 · the official record
Maximum Pressure Act
Writes the maximum pressure sanctions on the Islamic Republic into law, sanctions the Supreme Leader, and keeps all sanctions in place until the regime meets twelve demands on its nuclear, missile and terrorism programs. It is the maximum pressure policy in bill form. Signing it counts as with.
1 April 2025 · the official record
Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025
Sanctions any foreign company, port, refinery or ship that helps process, export or sell Iranian oil and gas. It goes after the oil money that keeps the regime alive. Signing it counts as with.
18 February 2025 · the official record
Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025
Senate version. Sanctions any foreign company, port, refinery or ship that helps process, export or sell Iranian oil and gas. It goes after the oil money that keeps the regime alive. Signing it counts as with.
12 February 2025 · the official record
Condemning the Islamic Republic's drone and missile attack on Israel (H.Res. 1143)
Condemns the Islamic Republic's April 2024 drone and missile attack on Israel and backs Israel's right to defend itself. It stands against the regime's direct attack on a US ally. I count a Yea as with.
18 April 2024 · the official record
Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act (H.R. 6046)
Requires the Houthis, the Islamic Republic-backed force in Yemen, to be listed as a foreign terrorist organization and sanctioned. It puts maximum pressure on one of the regime's main proxy forces. I count a Yea as with.
17 April 2024 · the official record
Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act (H.R. 4691)
Lets Congress review and block any move by a president to lift or waive sanctions on the Islamic Republic. It makes it harder for any administration to give the regime sanctions relief. I count a Yea as with.
17 April 2024 · the official record
Rescinding Iran sanctions waivers (H.R. 5947)
Cancels the waivers that let Iran reach about 6 billion dollars held abroad and bars new waivers of that kind. It undoes sanctions relief given to the regime. I count a Yea as with.
17 April 2024 · the official record
No U.S. Financing for Iran Act (H.R. 5921)
Bars the Treasury from licensing US financial dealings tied to trade with Iran, apart from humanitarian goods, and tells US representatives to oppose IMF help for Iran. It cuts the regime off from US finance and international bailouts. I count a Yea as with.
15 April 2024 · the official record
No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act (H.R. 5961) key vote
Freezes the roughly 6 billion dollars of Iranian money that was moved to Qatar under the 2023 prisoner deal by sanctioning any bank that helps Iran use it. It keeps money out of the regime's hands and reverses a sanctions-relief deal. I count a Yea as with.
30 November 2023 · the official record
A nuclear Islamic Republic is not acceptable (H.Res. 559)
Declares it US policy that a nuclear-armed Islamic Republic of Iran is not acceptable, that all necessary means should be used to stop it, and that allies including Israel are free to act to prevent it. It commits the United States to stopping the regime's nuclear program by any means. I count a Yea as with.
1 November 2023 · the official record
Ogles amendment to H.R. 4665: no funds to take the IRGC off the terrorist list
Amendment to the 2024 State Department spending bill that bars any money from being used to remove the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from the list of foreign terrorist organizations. It locks in the terrorist designation of the regime's main armed force. I count a Yea as with.
28 September 2023 · the official record
Cruz motion on H.R. 4521: keep terrorism sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and the IRGC
Tells Senate negotiators on the China competition bill to insist on language about limiting cooperation between China and the Islamic Republic through the terrorism sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It backs keeping terrorism sanctions on the regime's bank and its main armed force. I count a Yea as with.
4 May 2022 · the official record
Lankford motion on H.R. 4521: no nuclear deal that lifts IRGC sanctions
Tells Senate negotiators to insist that any nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic also covers its missiles, terrorism and sanctions evasion, does not lift sanctions on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and does not remove its terrorist designation. It opposes a nuclear deal that gives the regime sanctions relief. I count a Yea as with.
4 May 2022 · the official record
Stop Iranian Drones Act (H.R. 6089)
Makes clear that US sanctions law covers anyone who supplies, sells or transfers combat drones to or from Iran. It tightens sanctions on the regime's drone program. I count a Yea as with.
27 April 2022 · the official record
Stands with the people of Iran
weight 2
Free people stand with people who are paying to be free: sanctions on those who kill protesters, an open internet when the regime cuts it, protection for persecuted minorities such as the Baha'is, and Congress on record on the people's side.
Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026
Senate version. Expands internet access for Iranians during regime blackouts, enforces sanctions on human rights abusers, and funds broadcasting and online security tools for Iranian activists and journalists. It gives practical help to Iranians standing up to the regime. Signing it counts as with.
24 February 2026 · the official record
Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026
Expands internet access for Iranians during regime blackouts, enforces sanctions on human rights abusers, and funds broadcasting and online security tools for Iranian activists and journalists. It gives practical help to Iranians standing up to the regime. Signing it counts as with.
20 February 2026 · the official record
Condemning the Government of Iran for its suppression of the right of Iranians to peacefully assemble
Condemns the regime's killing of protesters and bystanders, commends the courage of the Iranian people, and calls for free and fair elections. It puts senators on record with the Iranian people during the uprising. Signing it counts as with.
11 February 2026 · the official record
IRAN Act (Internet Reach and Access Now Act)
Makes the State Department responsible for getting Iranians around the regime's internet shutdowns, including satellite and direct-to-phone service, and clears sanctions obstacles to those tools. It helps Iranians stay online when the regime cuts them off. Signing it counts as with.
4 February 2026 · the official record
Recognizing and expressing support for the Iranian people protesting for a free and democratic Iran
Commends the Iranian protesters of 2026, condemns the regime's use of military force against them, demands the release of political prisoners, and urges open internet access. It puts members on record with the Iranian people during the uprising. Signing it counts as with.
13 January 2026 · the official record
FREEDOM Act (Feasibility Review of Emerging Equipment for Digital Open Media Act)
Requires a State Department report on internet freedom in Iran and on new technology, such as direct-to-phone satellite service, that could get Iranians past censorship. It helps Iranians stay online when the regime cuts them off. Signing it counts as with.
4 December 2025 · the official record
MAHSA Act (H.R. 589) key vote
Requires the President to decide whether to sanction the Supreme Leader, the President of Iran and their offices for human rights abuses and support for terrorism. It punishes the regime's top leaders for what they do to the Iranian people. I count a Yea as with.
12 September 2023 · the official record
Condemning the persecution of Iran's Baha'i minority (H.Res. 492)
Condemns the Islamic Republic's state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i religious minority and calls for sanctions on the officials responsible. It stands with people the regime persecutes for their faith. I count a Yea as with.
12 September 2023 · the official record
MAHSA Act
Senate version of the bill requiring sanctions decisions on the Supreme Leader, the President of Iran and their offices for human rights abuses and support for terrorism. It punishes the regime's top leaders for what they do to the Iranian people. Signing it counts as with.
27 July 2023 · the official record
Commending the bravery of the Iranian protesters (H.Con.Res. 7) key vote
Commends the women and men of Iran protesting in more than 133 cities after the death of Mahsa Amini and condemns the regime's violent crackdown. It puts Congress on the side of the Iranian people against the regime. I count a Yea as with.
25 January 2023 · the official record
Lets Iranians choose a free, secular Iran
weight 2
Iran's future is for Iranians to choose in a free vote, under a law that takes no side on religion. Backing that transition counts on liberty's side, and so does meeting or backing Prince Reza Pahlavi, who proposes exactly that. Deciding for Iranians in advance counts against: signing the resolutions that back the MEK's plan, ties to the MEK (an exile group that fought beside Saddam Hussein against Iran), or saying Iranians have already rejected a choice they were never allowed to vote on.
Plus 129 sourced statements, shown on each member’s page.
Protecting the residents of Ashraf-3 in Albania (S.Res. 145)
Says the Iranian exiles at Ashraf-3, the MEK's camp in Albania, must be free to carry on political activity there, and cites support for "Mrs. Maryam Rajavi's Ten-Point Plan for the Future of Iran". Ashraf-3 is the MEK's camp, and the text holds up Maryam Rajavi's plan as the future of Iran. So signing it counts as a tie to the MEK. Signing it counts as a tie to the MEK, against letting Iranians choose.
27 March 2025 · the official record
Expressing support for the Iranian people's desires for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran
Condemns the regime's terrorism and repression and cites support for the ten-point plan of Maryam Rajavi of the MEK-linked National Council of Resistance of Iran. It says Iranian protesters 'rejected monarchical dictatorship' as well as the ruling theocracy. The text backs the ten-point plan of Maryam Rajavi, who leads the political arm of the MEK, and says Iranians have rejected the monarchy. That decides for Iranians, in advance and in one exile group's favour, what they may choose once the regime is gone. So signing it counts against letting Iranians choose, as a tie to the MEK. Signing it counts as a tie to the MEK, against letting Iranians choose.
26 February 2025 · the official record
Condemning the Iranian regime's terrorism, regional proxy war, internal suppression
Condemns the regime's terrorism and proxy wars, cites the ten-point plan of Maryam Rajavi, and says Iranians are rejecting both 'monarchic dictatorship and religious tyranny'. The text backs the ten-point plan of Maryam Rajavi, who leads the political arm of the MEK, and says Iranians have rejected the monarchy. That decides for Iranians, in advance and in one exile group's favour, what they may choose once the regime is gone. So signing it counts against letting Iranians choose, as a tie to the MEK. Signing it counts as a tie to the MEK, against letting Iranians choose.
15 April 2024 · the official record
Protecting the residents of Ashraf-3 in Albania (S.Res. 599)
Says the Iranian exiles at Ashraf-3, the MEK's camp in Albania, must be free to carry on political activity there, and cites support for "Mrs. Maryam Rajavi's Ten-Point Plan for the Future of Iran". Ashraf-3 is the MEK's camp, and the text holds up Maryam Rajavi's plan as the future of Iran. So signing it counts as a tie to the MEK. Signing it counts as a tie to the MEK, against letting Iranians choose.
20 March 2024 · the official record
Expressing support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran
Condemns the regime's terrorism and killing of protesters, cites support for the ten-point plan of Maryam Rajavi, leader of the MEK-linked National Council of Resistance of Iran, and says Iranians are 'rejecting monarchic dictatorship and religious tyranny'. The text backs the ten-point plan of Maryam Rajavi, who leads the political arm of the MEK, and says Iranians have rejected the monarchy. That decides for Iranians, in advance and in one exile group's favour, what they may choose once the regime is gone. So signing it counts against letting Iranians choose, as a tie to the MEK. Signing it counts as a tie to the MEK, against letting Iranians choose.
7 February 2023 · the official record
Expressing support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran
Condemns the regime's terrorism and human rights abuses, cites support for the ten-point plan of Maryam Rajavi, leader of the MEK-linked National Council of Resistance of Iran, and says Iranians 'rejected monarchic dictatorship'. The text backs the ten-point plan of Maryam Rajavi, who leads the political arm of the MEK, and says Iranians have rejected the monarchy. That decides for Iranians, in advance and in one exile group's favour, what they may choose once the regime is gone. So signing it counts against letting Iranians choose, as a tie to the MEK. Signing it counts as a tie to the MEK, against letting Iranians choose.
11 February 2021 · the official record
Which of the three principles weighs too much, or too little?
Say it where other readers can answer you, in Persian or English.
Discussion
How I score
A vote I should count and don't. A principle that weighs too much. A side I marked wrong. Readers' words, not mine.
Leave out anything private about anyone. The rules, and what your account keeps
Come and talk
The show is live on YouTube every day, and the people who watch it plan on Discord between shows.